"These federal dollars will foster economic development in our rural communities," Grassley said. "Taking care of the health and vitality of our small towns is key to a good quality of life in Iowa. The rural utilities and facilities receiving today's awards have demonstrated a commitment to their communities and, in turn, the communities have lent their support. That kind of partnership is essential when it comes to rural development."
The Butler County Electric Cooperative in Allison has been awarded a $6 million loan to construct 19 miles of new distribution lines and make other system improvements. The cooperative will serve 160 new customers in Butler, Bremer, Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw, Fayette, Floyd and Franklin counties.
The Regional Utility Service Systems in Fairfield has been awarded a $12,000 loan and a $26,000 grant to complete funding of a wastewater collection and sand filter/mechanical treatment system for users in Mt. Sterling. The loan is for 40 years at 4.5 percent interest.
Clarke County has been awarded a $100,000 loan to complete the early childhood education center being built in Osceola. The center will house a day care, a before- and after-school program, Head Start and a special-needs preschool. The loan is for 40 years at 4.75 percent interest.
The city of Stanhope has been awarded a $275,000 grant to complete a sewer project first funded in fiscal 1999. This phase of the project involves adding a third treatment cell to the lagoon to improve storage capacity, improving existing collection pipes to reduce inflows and infiltration, and adding sewer service lines to previously unsewered homes and businesses.
The Farmers Telephone Co. in Essex has been awarded a $128,000 loan to help the city purchase a new fire truck for the local volunteer fire department. The 29-member volunteer force serves the city and surrounding communities, which is a service area of 152 square miles.
Earlier today, Grassley announced the following grants and loans for Orange City, George and Grinnell.
The North West Rural Electric Cooperative in Orange City was awarded a $200,000 grant to assist the Northwest Iowa Community College in financing the expansion of its Sheldon campus. The 5,800-square foot expansion will include new classrooms, a computer lab, meeting rooms, student locker storage space and a reconfigured auditorium to seat 120 people.
The Lyon Rural Electric Cooperative of Rock Rapids was awarded a $100,000 grant to help the Merrill Pioneer Community Hospital Association build a new physician clinic in George. The new facility will include three examination rooms, a nurse's station and space for an x-ray facility in the future.
The Poweshiek County Mental Health Center in Grinnell was awarded a 4.75-interest loan for $204,000 to build additional parking space and an addition to the Poweshiek County Mental Health Center. The center provides outpatient mental health care and promotes the prevention of mental illness and emotional and behavioral problems along with educational activities dealing with mental health.